1 Maccabees 10:21-25: a reflection

21And Jonathan put on the holy garments in the seventh month of the one hundred sixtieth year, at the feast of tabernacles; and he gathered together forces and provided weapons in abundance. 22When Demetrius heard these things, he was grieved and said, 23“What is this that we have done, that Alexander has gotten ahead of us in establishing friendship with the Jews to strengthen himself? 24I also will write to them words of encouragement and of honor and of gifts, that they may be with me to aid me.” 25So he sent to them this message: “King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greetings.

In this account, two rival kings, competing for power, both seek to win the favor of the Jewish people. When one king gains their friendship, the other, not to be outdone, hurriedly sends letters full of encouragement, honor, and promises of gifts, hoping to draw them to his side. Each courts the people not out of genuine goodwill, but because he wants their support for his own advantage in the struggle for power.

Notice why the people were suddenly courted with such flattering words and generous promises: not because these kings truly cared for them, but because each wanted to use them for his own ends. The gifts and honors were bait; the flattery was strategy. When those who had ignored or opposed them suddenly turned generous and flattering, it was because they now saw an advantage in winning them over.

That is worth remembering when we find ourselves suddenly courted and flattered. Not all who flatter us and offer us honors and gifts do so out of genuine regard; sometimes it is because they want something from us, want to use us for their own advantage. This is not a call to suspect everyone, but to discern the difference between genuine regard and self-interested flattery. When you are suddenly courted with flattery and gifts, do not be naively won over; ask what the one flattering you may want, and whether the sudden regard is genuine. Do not let flattery and gifts buy your allegiance without discernment; be wise about who seeks to win you, and why, and give your loyalty thoughtfully, not to the highest flatterer.

Lord, in this account rival kings competed to win the Jews' favor with flattering letters and generous promises, each seeking not their good but his own advantage. Help me remember that when I find myself suddenly courted and flattered. Not all who flatter me and offer me honors and gifts do so out of genuine regard; sometimes it is because they want to use me for their own advantage. Keep me from suspecting everyone, but give me discernment to tell the difference between genuine regard and self-interested flattery. When I am suddenly courted with flattery and gifts, help me not to be naively won over, but to ask what the one flattering me may want, and whether the regard is genuine. Do not let flattery and gifts buy my allegiance without discernment. Help me be wise about who seeks to win me, and why, and to give my loyalty thoughtfully, not to the highest flatterer. Guard me with wisdom.